A Walk Apart (Episode 4: All In)

Chapter Twelve

Cheers erupted from the crowd as the very brave duo hugged it out before walking off the stage. Santora returned to the mic. "Great job, guys. That's going to be a tough act to follow. Any takers?"

Adam still had time to change his mind. He could walk out right now and no one would even know he was there. It had taken him multiple hours of persuading himself to even show up. Did he really come all this way to just back out? A part of him pleaded yes. The other part of him really wanted to do this. That was the part he wished he could tie up and tape his mouth shut. But it was the part who would regret his decision the most.

He stepped away from the wall. "Me." Eyes flung in his direction, but he avoided them by picking up his guitar from the floor and strapping it on as he headed for the stage. They were enough for him to take it all back and go home. He mentally thanked the golf clappers as he slid a stool to the center of the stage and sat. He formed somewhat of a smile at the overwhelming lake of faces before him. He was hoping they'd be less visible in the dark. "Hello, everyone. You may know me as your friendly neighborhood bartender, but tonight, I will be serving you something a little different. This song is called "Canary."

He plucked the strings with every intention of just thrusting himself into the music, until he found Madison's face in the crowd. Tidal wave of nerves shut down his will to keep going. He couldn't do this. He muted the strings.

Footsteps ascended the stairs and he looked up expecting to see Santora brandishing a hook to drag him off stage. Ashlee smiled back at him as she pulled up a stool next to him and took a seat. "Would you like some backup?"

Relief and gratitude swelled in Adam's chest like one of Charity's balloons. He restarted the song. The entire time they sang to each other, preventing his eyes from going astray and latching back onto Maddie. Though at one point, Ashlee's were the ones that drifted. Following her gaze, he saw Jared watching from the back of the crowd. Their eyes were locked, telling a completely different story.

Once they finished the song, Adam an Ashlee stood up, grabbed each other's hands and took a bow before walking off the stage. At the bottom of the steps, Adam turned to her feeling a ton lighter and a little light-headed. "Thank you. I'm almost certain I would have passed out if you hadn't come to my rescue."

"I may have had ulterior intentions," Ashlee said, folding her arms and looking over Adam's shoulder. In the exact location Jared had been standing.

Adam felt for her. He wasn't the right person to give advice on this subject since he was still wrestling with it himself, but he'd learned a lesson or two about love. One of those lessons insisted that even if you have to move on, never give up on love entirely. Even if that meant settling for friendship. "To rephrase the words of a wise friend: You have a good heart. Don't let it waste away behind fears."

For the rest of the night, Adam hung out with Ashlee, Brie and Simon as other contenders braved the stage. Some of them were really good, others decent, and the remainder just wanted to have a good time and scored major points for entertaining the crowd alone.

Once the last performer closed the show and the jury was in, Santora took the stage. It was now time for the moment of truth. "Ladies and gentlemen, it is time to announce the winners. Drum roll, please." The drums rumbled, vibrating the floor. Glasses and silverware rattled as the crowd joined in, stomping their feet and beating the tables. "And the winner is...Adam and Ashlee."

Ashlee's jaw dropped as she turned to Adam who remained in his seat. They seriously just won? Ashlee grabbed his hand and led the way back to the stage Adam nearly skipped altogether that night. Now he was standing on it as a winner. 

Madison stood, applauding them. "Yeah, Adam!" Nathan clapped along, already signing off for the night. He looked around the room shaking his head as if he had no say in the matter.

Mr. Santora handed them a trophy and they each took a side. "Congratulations, you two. Not only have you won this dazzling trophy, which I personally polished myself, but you will also be joining Nathan and Maddie in co-writing the official theme song to Crossing Oaks, which will be shown on all of our social media platforms. You guys are about to become local superstars."

Ashlee squealed and bounced, celebrating their surprise package deal. Meanwhile, Adam was questioning his decision all over again. No wonder Nathan looked so upset with the results. Adam's prize had a price that included intimate, one-on-one sessions with the girl who stole his heart and her boyfriend who knew about it. Was it too late to forfeit?

***

Who do you think rocked Open Mic Night?

-Love, Charly